Statistical analysis of bending fatigue life data using Weibull
Transcription
Statistical analysis of bending fatigue life data using Weibull
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Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier’s archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright Author's personal copy Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Materials & Design Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 www.elsevier.com/locate/matdes Statistical analysis of bending fatigue life data using Weibull distribution in glass-fiber reinforced polyester composites _ Raif Sakin a, Irfan Ay b b,* a Edremit Technical Vocational School of Higher Education, Balikesir University, Edremit, Turkey Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Architecture Faculty, Balikesir University, 10145 Balikesir, Turkey Received 19 January 2007; accepted 16 May 2007 Available online 2 June 2007 Abstract The bending fatigue behaviors were investigated in glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite plates, made from woven-roving with four different weights, 800, 500, 300, and 200 g/m2, random distributed glass-mat with two different weights 225, and 450 g/m2 and polyester resin. The plates which have fiber volume ratio Vf @ 44% and obtained by using resin transfer moulding (RTM) method were cut down in directions of [0/90] and [±45]. Thus, eight different fiber-glass structures were obtained. These samples were tested in a computer aided fatigue apparatus which have fixed stress control and fatigue stress ratio [R = 1]. Two-parameter Weibull distribution function was used to analysis statistically the fatigue life results of composite samples. Weibull graphics were plotted for each sample using fatigue data. Then, S–N curves were drawn for different reliability levels (R = 0.99, R = 0.50, R = 0.368, R = 0.10) using these data. These S–N curves were introduced for the identification of the first failure time as reliability and safety limits for the benefit of designers. The probabilities of survival graphics were obtained for several stress and fatigue life levels. Besides, it was occurred that RTM conditions like fiber direction, resin permeability and full infiltration of fibers are very important when composites (GFRP) have been used for along time under dynamic loads by looking at test results in this study. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Glass-fiber reinforced polyester composite (GFRP); Bending fatigue; Fatigue life; Weibull distribution; Mean life; Survival life; Reliability analysis 1. Introduction In recent years, glass-fiber reinforced polyester (GFRP) composite materials have developed more rapidly than metals in structural applications. They are used alternatively instead of metallic materials because of their low density, high strength and rigidity [1–4]. The studies on reliability of structure depending on damage tolerance are very important for today’s composite researchers since GFRP are used as preferable structures in fan blades, wind turbine, in air, sea and land transportation. Most of these materials are subjected to cycling loading during the service conditions. The mechanisms of composite materials under cycling load* Corresponding author. Tel.: +90 266 612 1194; fax: +90 266 612 1257. _ Ay). E-mail address: ay@balikesir.edu.tr (I. 0261-3069/$ - see front matter 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2007.05.005 ing and their fracture behaviors are really complex [1–4]. Because, anisotropy structure of GFRP materials forms three axial local stresses in itself. Static and fatigue failures in multilayer composites contain different damage combinations like matrix cracking, fiber–matrix debonding, ply delamination and fiber fracture. The form of each type failure is different depending on material properties, number of layers and loading type [3,5]. Thus, knowing the fatigue behavior under the cyclic loading is essential for using composite materials safely and in practical structural designs [1–4]. As it is in inhomogeneous all materials, it can be seen great differences in static strength and fatigue life test results among the samples in the same conditions in GFRP composites having anisotropy structure as well. Statistical evaluations are very important because of the different distribution of the test results in GFRP samples. When Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1171 great safety coefficient was used in the past, this distribution in the results was relatively unimportant. With the development of high performance aircraft, the changeability of mechanical properties of GFRP composites has gained great importance. Analyzing the reliability of composite materials is an inevitable need because of brittle fracture in structure and especially wide scatter of fatigue data. Thus, for the safe application of composite materials in industry, their fatigue data as statistically must be understood well. The statistical properties used, generally depend on usual distribution in mean strength. But especially, Weibull distribution has more reliable values than other distributions in fatigue data evaluations from the point of variables in life and strength parameters [3,6]. So, it has been proved in literature that Weibull distribution will be useful in the evaluation of fatigue data reliability in composite structures [3,6–10]. The aim of this study is to investigate the failure of fan blades and wind turbines made by composite materials instead of aluminum which is caused by bending fatigue forces. And then, the test results for these composites under reversal stress (bending) are to analysis as statistical by using Weibull distribution. Consequently, any engineer can use these S–N curves at the various reliability levels for their practical applications. Fig. 1. (a) Schematic picture of glass-fiber used and (b) arrangement of glass-fiber. 2. Experimental procedure 2.1. Materials and test specimens General purposive and unsaturated polyester resin, glass-mat and woven-roving as shown in Table 1 were used for this study. In order to obtain GFRP sample by RTM method; heated mold system was constructed [11]. The mold was sprayed with a mold release agent to facilitate the later removal of the molding. Then one layer of glass-mat and one layer wovenroving put into the mold as shown in Fig. 1a and b. The properties of polyester resin other additive materials were prepared in accordance with RTM as shown in Table 1. Then, the prepared mixture was injected into the mold under pressure between 0.5–1 bar. At about 40 C, 12 h later, the mold was opened and a plate with dimension of 310 · 600 · 3.00 mm was removed out of the mold. In the study, the volume of glass-fiber was 3. Fatigue tests Table 1 Composition of GFRP plates Orthophthalic polyester resina (Neoxil CE92N8) Styreneb (15% of matrix volume) Cobalt naphthenateb (0.2% of matrix volume) Methyl ethyl ketone peroxideb (MEKP) (0.7% of matrix volume) Reinforcement Woven-rovinga,c Density: 2.5 g/cm3 Weight per unit area: 800, 500, 300, and 200 g/m2 Fiber direction: [0/90] and [±45] Matrix Monomer Catalyst Hardener Glass-mata,c Density: Weight per unit area: Fiber direction: a b c (CamElyaf A.S., Turkey). (Poliya A.S., Turkey). (Fibroteks A.S., Turkey). obtained at Vf @ 44% approximately. It was observed that bubbles were confined and incomplete infiltration occurred in some layers. Incomplete infiltrated plates were not tested and evaluated (see Fig. 2). Eight different material combinations were obtained by cutting the plates in the direction of [0/90] and [±45] as shown in Table 2. Fatigue test samples were prepared from these plates with dimensions of 25 · 250 · 3.00 mm as shown in Fig. 3 [11]. By preparing samples with the dimension of 18 · 140 · 3.00 mm from the same plates according to the ASTM 790-00 three point bending tests were carried out and obtained maximum bending strength (Table 4) [12]. Especially in the formation of S–N curves, (Figs. 7 and 10) the maximum bending strength values were considered as one cycle strength value [11,13,14]. 2.5 g/cm3 225 and 450 g/m2 Random Fatigue samples (shown in Fig. 3) were tested in the fatigue apparatus specially designed and improved by us (see Fig. 4) [11]. Test conditions were as follows: Motor: 0.5 HP – 1390 rpm Main shaft: 30 rpm (0.5 Hz) Test frequency: 2 Hz Temperature: room Control: stress (load) Loading ratio: R = 1 Maximal number of cycle: 1 million The experimental conditions of the rotating fatigue tests were stress controlled flexural loading with a 30 rpm rotating speed. The maximum stress was applied on specimen Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1172 Infiltration (medium) Infiltration (well) Infiltration at the corners is so weak. (White zones) Fig. 2. Infiltration ratio in some laminates. Table 2 GFRP sample groups and their structures (Vf @ 44%) Group A B C D E F G H a Fiber direction [±45] [±45] [±45] [±45] [0/90] [0/90] [0/90] [0/90] Woven-roving Glass-mat 800 g/m2 500 g/m2 300 g/m2 200 g/m2 225 g/m2 450 g/m2 3a – – – 3 – – – – 4 – – – 4 – – – – 5 – – – 5 – – – – 7 – – – 7 4 4 4 8 4 4 4 8 – 1 2 – – 1 2 – Indicates number of layers in the sample. Fig. 3. (a) Fatigue sample dimensions and (b) sample connection position. twice during one revolution (horizontal positions of a specimen), it might be logical to count two cycles for one revolution. Thus, the frequency of the rotating fatigue tests in this study was considered as 2 Hz [13]. The samples have been affected by lift and drag forces during the rotation in this fatigue test. Because of lower rotating speed, the effects of these forces were negligible. For loading the calculated weight to the specimens, steel disks, which had various dimensions and thicknesses (i.e. various weights), were used. Bending stresses have been only caused by the weights have been accepted as effective [11,13]. During the test, when the sample is horizontal position (0 and180), maximum stress is occurred. The absolute values of these stresses are equal to each other (rmax = rmin). During the rotation at 0 while the upper fibers are subjected to tension, the lower fiber are subjected to compression. When the sample position is 180, upper fibers are subjected to compression and the lower fibers are subjected to tension. Thus, this stage was tension-compression fully reversed. In this situation fatigue stress ratio is R = 1. The pictures of samples broken result of the fatigue test are shown in Fig. 5. Fiber-free bearings shows starting Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1173 Fig. 4. (a) Front view and (b) left-side view. Schematic view of multi-specimen and fixed stress bending fatigue test apparatus. point of the fatigue crack (Fig. 5b). This can also be considered as the weakest part of the sample. As the fatigue crack has occurred in the weakest part, matrix (polyester) and fiber (glass-fiber) separate from each other and the crack grows until the fiber breaks down. The weakest part in fiber–matrix interface is fiber-free bearings and dry fibers (not infiltrated) [15]. These samples have been not tested in this study. This condition is one of the most important points that should be taken into account. Transverse matrix- fiber separation generally starts at the upper fibers. The rigidity and flexibility of the upper and lower fibers decrease at the highest levels of the cycling bending process (tension-compression). Thus, the value of elasticity module will reduce by passage of time under cycling loading [16]. On the other hand, the separation between longitudinal fiber and matrix is similar to the separation in the transverse matrix cracks [16]. 4. Statical analysis of fatigue life data 4.1. Theory of Weibull distribution Weibull distribution is being used to model extreme values such as failure times and fatigue life. Two popular forms of this distribution are two- and three-parameter Weibull distributions. The probability density function (PDF) of two-parameter distribution has been indicated in the following Eq. (1). This PDF Equation is the most known definition of two-parameter Weibull distribution [2,3,17,18] b xb1 ðaxÞb f ðxÞ ¼ e a P 0; b P 0 ð1Þ a a where a and b is the scale, shape parameter. The advantages of two-parameter Weibull distribution are as follows [3]: Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1174 Fig. 5. (a) The pictures of the samples broken as a result of the fatigue tests and (b) front view of cracked zone as a result of fatigue (Group: E, zoom: 40X). Pictures of GFRP samples. It can be explain with a simple function and applied easily. It is used frequently in the evaluation of fatigue life of composites. Its usage is easy having present graphics and simple calculation methods. It gives some physical rules concerning failure when the slope of the Weibull probability plots taken into account. If PDF Equation is integrated, cumulative density function (CDF) in Eq. (2) is obtained. Eq. (3) derives from Eq. (2). x b a F f ðxÞ ¼ 1 eð Þ x b a ð2Þ 1 F f ðxÞ ¼ eð Þ F s ðxÞ ¼ 1 F f ðxÞ ð3Þ ð4Þ Rx ¼ 1 P x ð5Þ In the above equations; x b a Ff(x) Fs(x) variable (usually life). Failure cycles in this study (Nf), shape parameter or Weibull slope, characteristic life or scale parameter, probability of failure (Px), probability of survival or reliability (Rx). If the natural logarithm of both sides of the Eq. (3) is taken, the following Eq. (6) can be written. 1 ln ln ¼ b lnðxÞ b lnðaÞ ð6Þ 1 F f ðxÞ When the Eq. (6) is rearranged as linear equation, Y = ln (ln(1/(1 Ff (x)))), X = ln (x), m = b and c = b (ln(a)) is written. Hence, a linear regression model in the form of Eq. (7) is obtained Y ¼ mX þ c a¼e ð7Þ ðc=bÞ ð8Þ In Eq. (2), when x = a, F f ðxÞ ¼ 1 eð1Þ b F f ðxÞ ¼ 1 0:368 F f ðxÞ ¼ P x ¼ 0:632 ¼ 63:2% is obtained: According to Eq. (8) characteristic life (a) is the time or the number of cycles at which 63.2% of the population is expected to fail. The life of critical parts (roller bearing, blade etc.) designed for fatigue is indicated as P10, P1, P0.1 for lower failure probabilities [19]. In this study, as shown in Fig. 10, S–N plots were drawn for the values of P1, P50, P63.2, P90 (or R99, R50, R36.8, R10) and this study also guides the designers. N P x or N Rx are values of life indicating X% failure probability and can be calculated from Eq. (9). The median life values (50% life) can be calculated Eq. (10) or can be read from the graphics in Fig. 11. In this study, survival graphics drawn for each stress value of GFRP samples is given in Fig. 11. N P x ¼ N Rx ¼ a ðð lnðRx ÞÞ1=b Þ N P 50 ¼ N R50 ¼ a ðð lnð2ÞÞ 1=b Þ ð9Þ ð10Þ Mean life (mean time to failure = MTTF = N0), standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) of Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 2. Serial number was given for each value (i = 1, 2, 3, . . . , n). 3. Each value for failure probability was used in Bernard’s Median Rank formula given in Eq. (14). two-parameter Weibull distribution were calculated from the following Equations [3,18,20,21] MTTF ¼ N 0 ¼ a Cð1 þ 1=bÞ qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi SD ¼ a Cð1 þ 2=bÞ C2 ð1 þ 1=bÞ qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 2 SD a Cð1 þ 2=bÞ C ð1 þ 1=bÞ CV ¼ ¼ N0 a Cð1 þ 1=bÞ 1175 ð11Þ ð12Þ MR ¼ ð13Þ where (C) is gamma function. 4. 4.2. Application of Weibull distribution 5. The drawing of Weibull line for X and Y, the parameter of Weibull distribution and reliability analysis processes can be carried out by software such as Microsoft Excel and SPSS [17,22]. Microsoft Excel has been used in this study. The following processes were carried out to draw Weibull lines and obtain parameters. 6. 7. 8. 1. The number of failure cycle corresponding to each stress was located successively. i 0:3 n þ 0:4 ð14Þ where i is failure serial number and n is total test number of samples [22–24]. ln(ln(1/(1 MR))) values were calculated for each cycle value (Y-axis). ln(cycle) values were calculated for each cycle value (X-axis). Only the data given for group-A samples as example in Table 3 was transferred to Microsoft Excel. For regression analysis, the Analysis ToolPak Add-In was loaded into Microsoft Excel [11,22]. The graphics of ln(cycle) and ln(ln(1/(1 MR))) values were drawn as shown in Fig. 6. Y = mX + c linear equation given in the Eq. (7) was obtained in the most reasonable form from this graphics. Table 3 Summarized Weibull values of GFRP samples for Group-A [11] Stress amplitude, Sa (MPa) Cycle 360 736 922 1010 1016 106.728 . . . . . . 960,633 979,766 1,088,925 1,108,771 1,170,104 50.257 Rank Med. Rnk. MR In(cycle) (X-axis) ln(ln(1/(1 MR))) (Y-axis) 1 2 3 4 5 . . . 1 2 3 4 5 0.129630 0.314815 0.500000 0.685185 0.870370 . . . 0.129630 0.314815 0.500000 0.685185 0.870370 5.886104 6.601230 6.826545 6.917706 6.923629 . . . 13.775348 13.795069 13.900702 13.918763 13.972603 1.974459 0.972686 0.366513 0.144767 0.714455 . . . 1.974459 0.972686 0.366513 0.144767 0.714455 106.728 MPa 85.336 MPa -1.8 Y = 5.981X .092X - 16.1 43 -1.5 Y=2 -1.3 Y = 9.008X - 91 .318 -1.0 Y=1 -0.8 .921x .204X -0.5 Y = 11.800X - 164.189 68.895 MPa - 26.2 55 - 80.715 0.0 -0.3 Y = 4.404X - 49 .18 76.264 MPa - 15.1 03 0.3 Y=2 ln(ln(1/(1-Median Rank))) 0.5 61.954 MPa 55.751 MPa 50.257 MPa -2.0 -2.3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ln(Nf) Fig. 6. Weibull lines for GFRP samples in Group-A. 15 b 947 1.0 0.8 a 2.204 . . . . . . 1,103,609 11.800 Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1176 Table 4 According to test results, Weibull parameters for each stress amplitude [11] Stress amplitude, Sa (MPa) Characteristic life, (a) (cycle) Shape Weibull mean parameter (b) life (cycle) Group: A 203.120 106.728 85.336 76.268 68.895 61.954 55.751 50.257 1 947 4472 25,270 70,756 282,538 725,345 1103 609 1.000 2.204 1.921 9.008 4.404 2.092 5.981 11.800 1 839 3967 23,930 64,490 250,249 672,801 1,056,907 Group: B 258.288 116.764 93.788 84.403 76.105 68.653 61.550 57.922 1 917 8204 60,613 186,720 468,909 779,735 1,253,868 1.000 5.112 4.015 6.229 2.730 4.552 5.091 4.313 1 843 7438 56,348 166,111 428,201 716,678 1,141,429 Group: C 278.313 128.039 103.769 93.235 84.152 75.485 68.028 63.378 61.221 1 1422 8184 21,058 64,604 162,344 351,042 915,776 1,262,614 1.000 3.597 2.533 3.766 3.797 4.628 2.773 10.639 9.156 1 1281 7264 19,022 58,386 148,392 312,474 873,466 1,196,578 Group: D 265.468 111.502 97.072 87.219 78.800 70.792 63.757 57.411 53.070 1 1182 4125 17,128 44,060 192,165 459,053 807,018 1,556,050 1.000 1.719 1.678 2.825 3.066 1.830 2.674 22.523 4.324 1 1053 3684 15,257 39,383 170,759 408,096 787,848 1,416,720 Group: E 353.540 163.271 129.452 106.908 96.166 91.170 88.734 86.640 84.250 1 1233 5971 49,840 269,491 617,135 887,796 1,109,131 1,532,755 1.000 1.864 3.988 4.088 2.308 10.157 6.363 14.472 4.910 1 1095 5412 45,231 238,755 587,497 826,281 1,069,822 1,405,857 Group: F 375.200 151.934 123.852 111.613 100.138 90.322 81.316 73.201 1 3195 9534 39,695 216,224 349,306 670,939 1,053,763 1.000 2.532 2.047 2.388 4.479 6.519 5.040 10.309 1 2836 8446 35,185 197,266 325,527 616,318 1,003,780 Table 4 (continued) Stress amplitude, Sa (MPa) Characteristic life, (a) (cycle) Shape Weibull mean parameter (b) life (cycle) Group: G 348.198 147.771 119.308 107.214 96.241 86.771 77.882 73.941 1 1354 16,786 51,365 139,934 254,726 481,137 1,244,927 1.000 1.351 3.177 2.322 2.227 8.218 7.360 4.278 1 1241 15,029 45,510 123,935 240,198 451,235 1,132,769 Group: H 311.504 145.837 117.274 105.754 95.132 85.619 76.938 69.377 64.270 1 2011 9379 41,617 77,664 175,290 384,464 785,661 1,595,150 1.000 1.388 3.211 25.650 4.330 3.669 4.135 9.065 6.289 1 1835 8402 40,741 70,716 158,117 349,141 744,236 1,483,682 9. b and c values were obtained by linear regression application (least squares method). m = b parameter was obtained directly from the slope of the line. 10. a parameter was obtained from the Eq. (8) 11. The mean fatigue life corresponding to each stress was calculated from Eq. (11), and the variation coefficients were calculated from Eq. (13). The difference between mean fatigue life and the variation coefficients were given in Fig. 9. 12. The above processes were carried out in order for all samples group and Weibull graphics and parameters were obtained a and b parameters obtained are shown in Table 4. The results of the processes carried out above have been summarized in Table 3. Example Weibull graphics for each stress value has been given in Fig. 6 [11]. 5. Results and discussion 5.1. The S–N curves 106 cycles which is corresponding to fatigue strength has been taken into account as a failure criterion in the evaluation of fatigue tests [11,13,25]. The S–N curves obtained for eight different average fatigue life of GFRP samples have been shown in Fig. 7. Power Function has been used in Eq. (15) for the evaluation of fatigue test data [2,3,6,11,26]. S a ¼ a ðN f Þ b In this equation; Sa stress amplitude (fatigue strength), ð15Þ Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1177 Fig. 7. S–N curves for eight different samples. Nf number of cycle (fatigue life), a and b are constants (It’s given for each material group in Fig. 7). Table 5 The stress (fatigue strength) values and decrease rate in 106 cycles Group Stress amplitude, Sa (MPa) Decrease rate (%) E A F B G C H D 84.210 52.435 77.022 60.333 74.167 61.400 69.544 55.644 37.7 21.7 17.2 20.0 The effects on fatigue strength are obtained from S–N curves for each GFRP group. They are fiber direction, weight per unit area, maximum stress values corresponding to 106 cycles and decrease rate in maximum stress amplitude values of fibers having same weight per unit area but in different directions. These effects have been shown in Table 5 and Fig. 8. We can make the following comment for the directions of [0/90], [±45] in woven-roving composites which have 800, 500, 300 and 200 g/m2 weight per unit area and having the same volume (Vf @ 44%) from Table 5 and Fig. 8. The change in fatigue strength corresponding to 106 cycles depends on fiber direction and weight per unit area can be seen in Table 5 and Fig. 8. The strength in the direction of [0/90] is higher. On the other hand, the strength Fig. 8. The relationship of stress amplitude, weight per unit area and fiber direction. Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1178 0.8 A B Coefficient of Variation, C.V. 0.7 C 0.6 D E 0.5 F 0.4 G H 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 1000 10000 100000 1000000 10000000 Mean Fatigue Life (Cycles), No Fig. 9. Effect of mean fatigue life on the coefficient of variation, CV. has decreased suddenly because of existing of the shear stresses formed in weak interfaces on planes at [±45] and fibers at the direction of [±45] have had to carry over load nearly 1.9 times more than that of the fibers at the direction of [0/90]. Thus, anisotropy property between the samples of groups E&A is dominant reduced fatigue strength at the rate of 37.7%. Because of high resin permeability of composite having groups E&A woven-roving, infiltrations is better but the weak matrix cross-section is bigger than that of composite having groups F&B, G&C and H&D [11,27]. 5.2. Scatter in the fatigue life results CV values for fatigue life of GFRP samples have calculated by using Eq. (13). Coefficient of variation (CV) graphics which is calculated by Eq. (11) corresponding to mean life (MTTF) has been shown in Fig. 9. According to these results, scatter in the fatigue life values has the widest between 103–104 and 105–106. The first widest scatter was observed at the life range 103–104 cycles for GFRP samples because of the larger defects in structure at high stress level at the beginning of test. But later, the second widest scatter was observed at the life range 105–106 cycles. Because, the small defects in structure reach a critical value at the different stress level. This trend for different sample group is extremely important for the application and design of GFRP structure [3]. 5.3. Reliability analysis of fatigue results and bounds for the S–N curves probability of survival [3,28]. The probability of survival graphics corresponding to each stress values of GFRP samples has been shown in Fig. 11. These graphics have been drawn by using Eqs. (3) and (4). The probability 50% survival of samples from these diagrams is intersected by drawing horizontal line from Y-axis, hence the probability can be found in which cycle value it has. For example as shown in the diagram in Fig. 11, while the stress is 50.257 MPa and failure cycles are 1069858 for group-A samples, these values are 86.640 MPa and 1081394 cycles for group-E samples corresponding to 50% Reliability. The bending fatigue test results of GFRP materials have been scattered in a great scale because of their anisotropy structures and semi-brittle behaviours. Safe life = Reliability is an important parameter for design in this type of structure. Reliability means that ‘‘a material can be used without failure’’. The definition of reliability in engineering has been shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 shows S–N curves belong to several reliability levels of GFRP samples. As S–N curves belong to average values for each sample in Fig. 7 and the curves having 50% reliability in Fig. 10 are closer to each other, the S–N curve obtained from the average fatigue data in scattered position can be accepted as 50% reliability of survival as well. The S–N curves have been given belonging to four different safe levels (R = 0.99, R = 0.50, R = 0.368, R = 0.10) in order, in Fig. 10. These S–N curves provide possibility of prediction reliability fatigue life needed to designer. 6. Conclusions The term Reliability is used for the probability of functional performance of a part under current service condition and in definite time period. This also is known as the In this study, the following results have been obtained. Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 1179 Fig. 10. The S–N curves for different reliable levels (A–B–C–D–E–F–G–H). (1) It has been observed that the lowest fatigue strength is in group-A, the highest fatigue strength is in group-E. (2) The S–N curves depending on mean life values for all groups of GFRP composites have been presented in order practicing engineers could find them useful. Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. 100% 106.73 MPa 85.34 MPa 76.27 MPa 68.90 MPa 61.95 MPa 55.75 MPa 50.25 MPa Probability of Survival 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 100% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 10% 0% 100 163.271 MPa 129.452 MPa 106.908 MPa 96.166 MPa 91.170 MPa 88.734 MPa 86.640 MPa 84.250 MPa 90% Probability of Survival 1180 1000 10000 100000 1000000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) 100% 0% 100 10000000 10000 100000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) 1000000 100% 116.764 MPa 90% 1000 151.934 MPa 90% 93.788 MPa 123.852 MPa 111.613 MPa Probability of Survival 76.105 MPa 68.653 MPa 70% 61.550 MPa 57.922 MPa 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% Probability of Survival 84.403 MPa 80% 10% 0% 100 80% 100.138 MPa 90.322 MPa 70% 81.316 MPa 73.201 MPa 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 1000 10000 100000 1000000 0% 100 10000000 1000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) 128.039 MPa 103.769 MPa 93.235 MPa 84.152 MPa 75.485 MPa 68.028 MPa 63.378 MPa 61.221 MPa Probability of Survival 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 119.308 MPa 107.214 MPa 80% 96.241 MPa 86.771 MPa 70% 77.882 MPa 73.941 MPa 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 1000 10000 100000 1000000 0% 100 10000000 1000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) 10000 100000 1000000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) 100% 111.502 MPa 97.072 MPa 87.219 MPa 78.800 MPa 70.792 MPa 63.757 MPa 57.411 MPa 53.070 MPa 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 1000 10000 100000 1000000 10000000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) 10000000 145.837 MPa 117.274 MPa 105.754 MPa 95.132 MPa 85.619 MPa 76.938 MPa 69.377 MPa 64.270 MPa 90% Probability of Survival 100% Probability of Survival 10000000 147.771 MPa 90% 10% 0% 100 10000 100000 1000000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) 100% Probability of Survival 100% 0% 100 10000000 0% 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 10000000 Fatigue Life (Cycles), Ln(Nf) Fig. 11. Probability of survival graphs for GFRP specimens. (3) The most interesting result is the fatigue strength difference (37.7%) between the samples having the same fiber weight in group E&A. Generally, this sudden strength reduction resulting from the change of fiber direction, in GFRP samples is a very important point that should be taken into account in designs [11]. (4) As group E&A specimens have more resin permeability, fatigue data distribution of these samples have less scattering because of full infiltration during RTM. The group H&D specimens having less resin permeability and incomplete infiltration have the widest scatter in life values under the high stress. Author's personal copy _ Ay / Materials and Design 29 (2008) 1170–1181 R. Sakin, I. Also, they showed sudden fracture behaviors. This criteria is extremely important in high stress and low cycle processes. (5) The scatter value in all sample groups has been decreased in about 106 cycles taken as a failure criterion and the scatter values have been closer to each other. This result is useful for designers because of the accuracy and exact repeatability of the test in about 106 cycles. (6) Safe design life for brittle structured composites has great importance. S–N curves for reliability levels as R = 0.99, R = 0.50, R = 0.368, and R = 0.10 have been drawn and presented for designers. These diagrams can be considered as reliability or safety limits in identification of the first failure time of a component under any stress amplitude. Especially, the usage of S–N curves (R = 0.99) should be advised in the design of air-craft which have to have higher safety and reliability. (7) Fatigue life distribution diagrams have been obtained by using two-parameter Weibull distribution function for GFRP composites. 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